Abstract

Dr. Aravindh Sivanandan Anand, Dr. Vipin George Kuriakose, *Dr. Ciniraj Raveendran and Dr. Suma Susan Meloot

ABSTRACT

Background: Head and neck cancers is one of the most common malignancy in India. Radiation treatment is an integral part in the treatment of these patients. Hypothyroidism is a major radiation toxicity among these patients. But studies focusing on this are less in Indian population. Objectives: Primary objective of the study is to estimate the proportion of hypothyroidism in head and neck cancer patients after radiation treatment. Materials and Methods: This is an observational study of biopsy proved head and neck cancer patients who are selected either for definite or adjuvant radiation or chemoradiation. Baseline thyroid function test (TFT) prior to radiation treatment must be normal and the patients are monitored for TFT at three monthly intervals. Patients were treated with radiation treatment with radical radiation doses of 66Gy/33 fr, 66Gy/30fr or 60 Gy/30 fr based on the clinical scenario. Some patients received concurrent chemo radiation while others received neo adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: 61 patients were recruited for the study. Laryngeal cancers (39.3%) formed the most common subsite followed by oral cavity cancers (23%). Total incidence of hypothyroidism was 26.3%. Median time to development of hypothyroidism was 47 months (95% CI 28.87-65.121months).